About Knutson Counseling

	Elouise ‘Ellie’ A Knutson, is trained as a Master in Social Work with a MN State license as an Independent Clinical Social Worker. These credentials allow her to diagnosis and treat mental health and behavioral problems. She has been active as an independent therapist since 1998 when she began Knutson Counseling & Seminars. At that time she had completed her education with Augsburg College in Minneapolis and was employed full time with the State of MN doing adolescent treatment at the Willmar Campus. This background in treating in teamwork the very diverse and often difficult cases of mental health in adolescents and their families provided a rich background. She often cites that base experience as ‘being essential’ to being able to work independently in private practice. Ellie brings a rich background of experience and wisdom from her work in Christian ministry, vocational counseling and mental health fields. She has been a successful business owner in counseling and commercial art. She is the writer and publisher of The Counselor’s Notebook – some Notebook articles are available, click ‘ARTICLES’ above. Ellie enjoys teaching seminars or workshops which are educational, clinical or Biblical as well as giving short talks. These are available for churches or community functions. Ellie is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors. She is a registered therapist with Family Rules/Positive Parenting with a Plan and a member of Associates in Counseling – Willmar Area.
	Desiree Wright - Psychotherapist I am a licensed psychotherapist (LPC-Licensed Professional Counselor) in both the state of Wisconsin and Minnesota. I received my bachelor’s degree from Augsburg College in Psychology in Minneapolis, MN and my graduate degree from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI with a degree in Counseling. As a psychotherapist, I believe that it is most important to provide competent, strength-based mental health care to using a bio psychosocial (combining mind, body, environment, and social influences) approach. I believe it is imperative for a therapist and client to have a relationship that promotes wellness through strength building to best understand maladaptive patterns (stuff that is not working) that inhibit a client’s ability to make the changes they want to make in their life. My approach also encompasses techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy, behavioral analysis, person-centered, solution-focused and motivational interviewing modalities. I further believe that faith is another integral component in developing healthy coping mechanisms in dealing with issues in an individual’s life and believe together faith-based and therapeutic techniques bring the most consistent results when participating in therapy. I enjoy working with minority populations, adoptive and post-adoptive (RAD-Reactive Attachment Disorder) issues, depression, anxiety, stress management, parenting, play therapy, marital issues, family therapy, employment/career issues, grief/ trauma, anger management, and PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)in clients age 3 through adult.
	Cindy Johnson - Bookkeeper 320-905-4206 Cindy is a wonderful asset to KCS Inc. and keeps our billing system and our records up to date and moving steadily. She is a diligent problem solver. She is a home school mother and wife of a very dedicated therapist – so she has lots of insight into the mental health field and the business aspects of it. If we don’t know the answer or the eligibility of a client or a billing problem, or an insurance question – we just ask. Cindy does the research and gets us answers and solutions.
	Carol Knapp – Store and Web Manager Carol has a rich history of growing up in a missionary family in Brazil. She continues her life in USA dedicated to helping others and serving where God leads. For KCS Inc, Carol is dedicated to watching daily that we are covering our bases, managing mail lists, following through on requests and sending emails notices. She is daily making sure the store supply is full and ready to go.